Conservative Christians have shown the world that they will willingly
believe and repeat lies, all for the sake of worldly gain. That any Christian –
much less a Christian leader – could believe the outrageous conspiracy theories
put forth by the president tells the world that Christians are incapable of distinguishing
truth from falsehood.
What does that tell people about the reliability of the
gospel? If Christians cannot discern truth from falsehood when it comes to easily
disprovable claims of election fraud, how can anyone believe anything they say
about theological claims, which are impossible to verify?
It tells the world that Christians are either liars or rubes
or both. They can be easily duped by the most outrageous lies, even to the point
of betraying their country. If Christians are so obviously deceived when it
comes to Donald Trump, how can they be believed when it comes to Jesus Christ?
If Christian leaders cannot be trusted in worldly matters, how can they be
trusted in spiritual matters?
The sad truth is that these partisan Christians cannot be
trusted. There was a time when clergy were the most respected and educated
persons in a community. People came to them for knowledge, wisdom and advice. Now
clergy are often poorly educated and wallow at the bottom of every national poll
on honesty and trust.
The inability of conservative Christians to recognize truth is
obvious in their skepticism toward public education and science. Their rejection
of the coronavirus as a hoax is nothing compared to their rejection of geology,
paleontology, evolutionary biology, climate science, historical science, and
just about every other science.
Too many Christians interpret biblical stories literally for
no other reason than because a preacher told them to. Against all scientific evidence
they believe in a six-day creation, a 6000-year-old earth, a 969-year-old man, Noah’s
Flood, as well as talking serpents and asses (the equine as well as the
political kind). This confirms that Christians have no common sense and are
easily duped by authority figures.
It is no surprise that such people have been so easily taken
in by a con man like The Donald. Anyone who believes that Noah’s Ark is waiting
to be discovered on Mount Ararat in Turkey has no trouble believing that 11,780
additional votes for President Trump are waiting to be discovered in Georgia.
Those who think evolution is a hoax have no trouble believing that Biden’s
election victory is a hoax.
A gospel coming from the mouth of such gullible people will
not be believed by anyone but the equally gullible. To sensible people the “good
news” of the gospel will be dismissed as more “fake news.” The Bible says the
gospel is by nature offensive, even when it is presented by credible witnesses.
When it comes from Christians unable to discern truth from falsehood, it will
not be granted a hearing.
That is what is so sad about the current situation in our
country. Not only has our democracy been undermined, but the church’s
reputation has been compromised. A whole generation will be immune to gospel
preaching because of the unfaithfulness of Christian Trumpists. People come to
church seeking spiritual truth, and they are fed nonsense and lies. No wonder people
are leaving churches in droves! I mourn for the country. I mourn even more for
the Church.
Posts
9 comments:
I empathize with the pain you must have felt to have to write this truthful post.Though I may be an Agnostic, I think the New Testament is a wonderful guide on how to live. "Love one another. Help the needy. We are one." What happens after I die is not as important to me as how I should live. Love your Blog. Thank you. John Doherty
Gives me the impression that you've read some things by this fellow: "Once your faith, sir, persuades you to believe what your intelligence declares to be absurd, beware lest you likewise sacrifice your reason in the conduct of your life. In days gone by, there were people who said to us: 'You believe in incomprehensible, contradictory and impossible things because we have commanded you to; now then, commit unjust acts because we likewise order you to do so.'
"Nothing could be more convincing. Certainly any one who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices" - François Marie Arouet, Questions Sur Les Miracles (11th Letter) 1765. Randy (Abbababba) Hilman
As always, your comments are spot on. I have long had difficulty with those who profess to be Christians believing the bile spewed by Trump and veterans believing he was supporting and defending the constitution. I take one exception to your comments-I believe God is omnipotent, therefore, if God wanted to use an animal to communicate with a human such that the human could not misunderstand, it would be able to for a limited time-not like Mr. Ed. Ann Cady
You make no mention of clergy that refuse to wade into politics from the pulpit, or perhaps even more damaging, churches that demand their leaders not comment on politics. Trump, from the very getgo, has been stomping all over decency. His policy of caging children should have had every pulpit of every Church livid. Instead, cookies are baked, peace is preached, and forgive me, high fives all around because investments are up. I long for days when (as it was when I was raised in the UCC), ministers would have something to say about our leaders, about what it means to bring the kingdom to earth, instead of preaching prosperity or acknowledging those that do. Silence is complicit, and now we are seeing the very, very real consequences, in lifelong Christians, in young seekers, in heart broken and shamed Americans, as their distrust of the church as an institution swells. We've seen this coming. Ignoring truth is Biblical; it brings death. The church is not immune. No amount of endowment will or should save it, should they continue in their complicit silence.
Thank you, Marshall. So many have become so frustrated that we slump away from politics and give up even having an opinion. Looking for some wisdom on what to think about Trump and sure not finding any among most church people. I feel like I have to leave the fold of the 99 so the shepherd can find me in my Oneness. Love your books!
First of all, I just bought the tao of Christ, that is how I ended up here. But I see a lot of faulty logic in this post. The gospel will not come back void, charlatans have been exploiting the gospel for 2000 years it hasn't slowed the work of the Holy Spirit. If you have evidence to dispute what was found on top of Mt. Ararat I would like to hear about it. I have lived outside of the country for the last five years, I've stayed out of the news, for the most part, for five years. The most striking thing upon my return that I have noticed? That both sides of the aisle use the EXACT same language to criticise the other side. That along with simplifying a complex issue, politics, and not having a lot of empathy. I am confident there is a middle somewhere, I just not sure it's found online or in the news. God Bless. Which book of yours should I buy next?
My basic book about nonduality is Experiencing God Directly. Thanks for reading.
Yes!!!! I just finished that book. Just discovered you. Read “Living Presence” first. Loved that one but “Experiencing God Directly” was a game changer for me! Especially the last chapter The Wayless Way. Wowww Thank you so much. —Sherri Wiggins
And thank you so much for your words and the stand you’ve taken re: Trump. I’ve been so amazed and disheartened by all the Christians who are soooo passionate about him. I so don’t understand them. Really appreciate your post.
Post a Comment